St Mary's Church, Barnetby

St Mary's Church is a Grade I listed church building with Norman architectural features located near Barnetby. The stone structure includes a three-part nave, a three-part chancel, and a west tower with small round-headed bell openings characteristic of its period.

Parts of the south wall include Anglo-Saxon elements from the 11th century, while the tower, north arcade, and chancel were completed in the 12th and 13th centuries. Construction therefore spanned more than 200 years of medieval development.

The church appears in the memoir of Australian navigator Don Charlwood, who wrote about his experiences with RAF Bomber Command during World War II. This connection to aviation history draws visitors interested in that period of the conflict.

The church can be accessed by arranging with local keyholders in advance, which requires some planning on the visitor's part. The nearby railway station makes it reachable by public transport for those without a car.

An 11th-century window opening features a carved cat above it, a decorative detail rarely seen in medieval English churches and easy to miss on a casual visit. The original lead font from the 12th century was moved to the North Lincolnshire Museum where visitors can view it today.

Location: Barnetby le Wold

Inception: 11 century

Architectural style: Norman architecture

Website: http://visitchurches.org.uk/Ourchurches/Completelistofchurches/St-Marys-Church-BarnetbyleWold-Lincolnshire

GPS coordinates: 53.56760,-0.39860

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:09